Refuse body loading mechanism

ABSTRACT

The loading mechanism includes a packer blade having a serrated lower edge and having pivotal connections at the lower portions of its sides with hydraulic ram driven discs mounted for rotation in opposite sidewalls of the body. The upper end of the packer blade is pivotally suspended from the forward portions of pivoted brackets, the rear portions of said brackets being pivoted to the sidewalls of the body for oscillating movement and being powered by hydraulic rams during certain parts of the cycle. The packer plate has a curved cross-sectional shape to coact with the lower edge of a stationary baffle in preventing spillover of material. There is a star wheel control for the hydraulic rams.

United States Patent [72] lnventors Arnold F. Meyer Pewaukee; John E. Wieschel, l-lartland: Leslie F. Hansen, Greendale, Wis. [21] Appl. No. 788.196 [22] Filed Dec. 31, 1968 [45] Patented Feb. 2, 1971 [73] Assignee The Heil Co.

Milwaukee, Wis. a corporation of Wisconsin [54] REFUSE BODY LOADING MECHANISM [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,430,973 1 1/1947 Boissonnault 100/233X 2 14/ 83 3X 2,692,062 10/1954 Calamore Primary Examiner-Albert J. Makay Attorney-Morsell & Morsell ABSTRACT: The loading mechanism includes a packer blade having a serrated lower edge and having pivotal connections at the lower portions of its sides with hydraulic ram driven discs mounted for rotation in opposite sidewalls of the body. The upper end of the packer blade is pivotally suspended from the forward portions of pivoted brackets, the rear portions of said brackets being pivoted to the sidewalls of the body for oscillating movement and being powered by hydraulic rams during certain parts of the cycle. The packer plate has a curved cross-sectional shape to coact with the lower edge of a stationary baffle in preventing spillover of material. There is a star wheel control for the hydraulic rams.

PATENTEDFEB 2:97: 3559.825

sum 2 [IF 3 ATTORNFVS PATENTED FEB 2|9n 3.559325 SHEET 3 0F 3 ATTORNEYS REFUSE BODY LOADING MECHANISM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is adapted for use in the tailgate of a rear-loaded refuse body for moving and packing refuse into the storage chamber of the vehicle.

2. Description of the Prior Art Refuse bodies have heretofore been proposed wherein a packer blade transfers refuse from a hopper at the rear of the body into the storage chamber, with the packer blade movable in the return direction over a new load in the hopper. Refuse vehicles of this general type are disclosed in Gollnick US. Pat. No. 2,649,216 and in Gollnick US. Pat. No. 3,143,230. In both of these structures it is necessary to employ slots in the sidewalls of the tailgate for guiding either the packer plate or the packer plate carrier in its movement. This is also true of Palmer US Pat. 3,402,837 where two sets of guiding slots are employed. In Gollnick US. Pat. Nos. 2,649,216 and 3,402,837 and in Palmer US. Pat. No. 3,402,837, there is only one set of hydraulic cylinders for powering the packer blade during its packing stroke. In Gollnick US. Pat. No. 3,143,230 there is one set of cylinders for swinging the packer plate and another set for reciprocating the carrier member, and in G011- nick U.S. Pat. No. 2,649,216 it is necessary to have stops for the swinging movement of the carrier brackets. None of these constructions provides the most efficient packing pressure at SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides novel loading mechanism in which the packer blade has pivotal connections at its sides, with discs which are mounted for rotation in opposite sidewalls of the tailgate so that the pivots for the lower portion of the blade travel in an orbit through rotation of the discs. The upper end of the packer blade is pivotally suspended from the forward portions of pivoted brackets. One set of hydraulic rams functions to rotate the discs and another set of rams functions to oscillate the brackets. The two sets of rams complement each other so that the packer blade is always powered past dead center during rotation of the discs. Furthermore, at certain times in the cycle of t operation the hydraulic rams operate together to provide for smooth operation and for the maximum power at the time when it is most needed during the packing stroke so that there is a good packing pressure when needed. In addition, there is a stationary baffle plate in the upper portion of the rear end of the body and the packer blade is so curved in cross section as to maintain a closing relationship with the lower edge of the fixed baffle and thereby prevent spillover of material. In addition, there is a star wheel control including cam discs and solenoid valve controls which positively program and control the operation of the rams.

A general object of the present invention is to provide loading mechanism for a refuse body which permits substantially continuous dumping of refuse into the rear end of the vehicle and in which the refuse is efficiently and positively transferred and packed into the storage chamber proper, and in which the guiding and powering of the packer blade is accomplished by a novel arrangement which insures high compacting capability, proper power at the times most needed, and smooth operation, the lower portions of the blades being powered by rotary motion imparted by side discs, and no stops are used for holding the brackets or supports for the blade, in an elevated position during rearward movement of the blade.

A further object of the invention is to provide a construction as above described in which the packer blade exerts a high shearing force when its tip is cutting across the loading lip of the tailgate. r

A further object is to provide a loading mechanism as above described in which the cross-sectional contour of the packer blade is tailored to stay close to the lower end of a stationary baffle to prevent material from sliding up over the packer blade with undesirable spillover and possible jamming.

A further object of the invention is to provide a refuse body loading mechanism wherein there is a novel control which, when set, does not readily get out of adjustment.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists of the improved refuse body loading mechanism, and all of its parts and combinations, as set forth in the claims, and all equivalents thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference numerals designate the same parts in all of the views:

FIG. I is a fragmentary side elevational view externally of one of the sides of the tailgate portion of a refuse vehicle, parts being broken away;

FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view of the structure of FIG. 1, parts being broken away;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken approximately on the line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view through the rear portion of a refuse vehicle showing the packer blade at the end of its packing stroke, the dotted line position showing the start of return movement of the blade;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 showing the packer blade at the start of its packing stroke, the dotted line positions indicating an advanced position of movement;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 4 showing the packer blade near the end of its packing stroke;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken approximately on the line 7-7 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic view of the control system;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 4 showing a modification; and

FIG. 10 is a similar view showing still another modification.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the numeral 20 designates a refuse body with a storage chamber, the

body having a tailgate 21 forming a hopper which is pivotally connected to the rear of the storage chamber as at 22 in the customary manner so that it can be swung upwardly on the pivots 22 when it is desired to discharge the load. The hopper has sidewalls 23, a rear opening 24, and a top 25. Below the loading opening is a loading lip 27 over which refuse is adapted to be dumped, which lip forms the rear edge of a curved bottom portion 19.

Each of the sidewalls 23 of the hopper has a circular opening 28 (see FIG. 3) within which a disc 29 is adapted to rotate. Inasmuch as the construction of the discs on the two sides of the body is the same, except for reversal in position, only one of these will be described.

Surrounding each opening 28 and secured to each sidewall on the outside of the body is a circular hoop 30 to which the outer periphery of a frustoconical ring-shaped skirt 31 is welded as at 32. The inner peripheral edge of the skirt 31 supports a bearing ring 33, and rotatable within the bearing ring 33 is a hub 34 which projects from the outer face of the disc 29. Rigidly secured to the hub 34 is an eccentric crank 35.

Pivoted to the outer side of each of the sidewalls 23 as at 36 is the end of a hydraulic cylinder 37, each cylinder having a piston rod 38 projecting therefrom which is pivotally connected as at 39 to the eccentric crank 35. Thus, operation of the hydraulic ram units 37-38 will act through the eccentric cranks 35 to cause rotating movements of the discs 29 on the two sides of the tailgate.

Extending transversely of the tailgate is a packer blade 40 which has opposite sides of its lower portion pivoted to the disc as at 41. Opposite sides of the upper end of the packer blade are pivotally connected as at 42 to oscillatory brackets 43. These brackets are in turn pivotally connected as at 44 to the opposite sides of the body (see FIGS. 4,5 and 6). Hydraulic cylinders 45 have upper ends pivotally connected to the upper portion of the tailgate as at 46, and have piston rods 47 which are pivotally connected as at 48 to rigid links 49 projecting from the brackets 43.

THE PACKER BLADE The packer blade includes a face sheet 50 which is suitably reinforced by horizontal ribs 51 and crossing ribs 52 (see FIG. 2). At the tip of the blade are tapered webs 53 which taper to the scraping edge 54. The latter is scalloped by means of recesses 55 (FIG. 2) which extend upwardly from the scraping edge 54 between the webbing 53 as illustrated in FIG. 2. This scalloped scraping edge allows the edge to pierce refuse such as cardboard during shearing to drag it into the hopper, and

tends to minimize jamming possibilities and creates a highly concentrated shearing force.

Referring to FIGS. 4,5 and 6, it will be noted that while the lower approximately half of the inner face of the blade is flat as at 56 (FIG. 6), the upper portion is curved in cross section as at 57. This curvature is tailored to stay close to the lower edge 58 of a fixed baffle 59 throughout most of the movement of the blade. The stationary baffle member 59 extends across the upper portion of the tailgate and its upper edge joins an upper end closure plate 60. It will be noted that the curvature 57 is such that in both positions of movement of FIG. 4, in the position of FIG. 6 and in the dotted lien line position of FIG. 5, .the upper portion of the blade is close to the lower edge 58 of the baffle. The only time the packer blade leaves the lower edge of the baffle is at the start of the packing stroke, shown by full lines in FIG. 5. Here, however, there is such upward overlapping of the lower edge of the bafile plate that no material can pass over the upper edge of the blade while it is in this position. I

THE CONTROL MECHANISM Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, there is a control box 61 on one of the sides (see also FIG. 1) having a suitably joumaled shaft 62 projecting from the rear thereof. The projecting portion of the shaft carries a rigidly mounted star wheel 63 having notches 64,65,66,67 and 68, there being a spring detent 63 for coaction with the notches. Within the control box the shaft 62 rigidly carries earns 69, 70,71 and 72, each having a high side of suitable length. In addition the high sides of the earns 69 and 72 have pip recesses 69' and 72'. The cams 69-72 coact with electric switches 7376, inclusive, (FIG. 8). The switch 73 is electrically connected as at 77 with the solenoid operator 78 at one end of a hydraulic spool valve 79 for the cylinders 45. The switch 74 is electrically wired as at 80 with solenoid operator 81 at one end of a hydraulic valve 82 for the cylinders 37. The switch 75 is electrically connected as at 83 with a solenoid operator 84 at the right-hand end of the hydraulic valve 79. The switch 76 is electrically connected as at 85 with the solenoid operator 86 at the right-hand end of the hydraulic valve 82.

Manually operable start and stop switches 87 and 88 are electrically connected with a solenoid 89 for operating the directional hydraulic valve 90. Hydraulic fluid from a reservoir 91 is adapted to be pumped by a pump 92 driven by the power takeoff of the truck, through line 93 to the valve 90. An hydraulic line 94 leading from the valve 90 is connected by hydraulic lines 95 with the valves 79 and 82. A return line 96 leads from the directional valve 90 back to the tank, and a return line 97 leads from valves 79 and 82 back to the tank. Hydraulic lines 98 and 99 connect the valve 79 with the opposite ends of the hydraulic cylinders 45. Hydraulic lines 100 and 101 connect with opposite ends of the hydraulic cylinders 37.

The star wheel 63 is adapted to be actuated by pins l02,l03,104,105 and 106 which project from the edge of the eccentric crank 35 as shown in FIG. 1. The electric switches 7376 have follower rollers 7376'.

FIG. 9 discloses a modified method of powering the discs. In this figure all of the common parts are designated by the same reference numerals used in FIG. 4 except that they are preceded by the digit In the arrangement of FIG. 9 the hydraulic rams are eliminated and ,one or both discs are equipped with central gears 210 which are driven by larger gears 211, the latter being rotated by any suitable source such as an hydraulic rotary motor. Because of the rotary drive for the discs 229 there is no problem of carrying the discs past dead center. Therefore, no other powering is required. This form of the invention lacks certain of the advantages of the principal form of FIG. 4 in that it does not have two sets of powering devices to apply extra power during the compacting portion of the stroke.

The form of the invention of FIG. 10 is practically the same as the form of the invention of FIG. 9 and the same reference numerals preceded by the digit 2" are used for all parts in common with corresponding parts of FIGS. 4 or 9. In the form of the invention of FIG. 10 the brackets 43 of FIG. 4, and 143 of FIG. 9, are eliminated. Instead the upper end of the packer blade is provided with rollers 312 which are guided in curved slots 313 in the sidewalls. Just as in FIG. 10, one or both discs is driven by applying rotary motion to a central gear or gears 310, or the discs may be operated as in FIG. 4, with the inside rams pivoted to the upper portion of the packer blade rather than to carrier brackets.

OPERATION In operation, the operator may start or stop the packer plate by means of manual switches 87 and 88 of FIG. 8 is if desired, and by use of said switches may exercise control when desired.

In normal operation the hydraulic pump 92 is being driven by the power takeoff of the vehicle, and the movement of the packer blade is stopped at the end of a cycle when the follower rollers 73' and 76' of the electric switches 73 and 76 drop into the pip recesses 69' and 72' of the cams 69 and 72 the detent 63' stopping between recesses of the star wheel as in FIG. 1, and the star wheel beingheld in stop position by the engagement of control pin 102 in notch 64. When this occurs the circuits to the solenoids 78 and 86 are deenergized as are the circuits controlled by the other two cams, allowing the hydraulic valves 79 and 82 to yieldingly shift to neutral positions which causes stopping of the packer blade in the forward position shown by full lines in FIG. 4. In this position the packer blade pivot 41 is about 8 above a horizontal plane through the center of the discs.

When it is desired to initiate cycling of the packer blade the starting switch 87 is pressed and held in long enough to cause flow from the pump 92 through the directional valve and through the lines to both valves 79 and 82. The start and stop buttons 87 and 88 are suitably incorporated in the electric circuit to the switches 7376 and solenoid operators 78,84,81 and 86 so that through the use of suitable relays (not illustrated) when the start button is held in it will temporarily energize the solenoid operators 84 and 81 to cause shifting of the valves 79 and 82 in directions to admit hydraulic fluid through the line to cause extension of the outside cylinders 37 and through the line 99 to cause retraction of the inside cylinders 45 This action at the start allows the pin 102 to cause rotation of the star wheel and earns far enough to move the cam followers 73' and 76' out of the pip recesses. This will then cause closing of the switches 73 and 76 and automatic operation will thereafter take over. Thus the packer blade starts to retract over material which may have been dumped in the hopper, such retraction being originally under the power of both sets of cylinders 37 and 45.

When the packer blade has moved a further distance in a counterclockwise direction from the full line position of FIG. 4 to a position about 16 away from a horizontal plane through the center of the discs, then the low side .of cam 72 will move switch 76 to off. This will stop energization of the solenoid 86 and allow the valve 82 to return to a position where lines 100 and 101 are connected permitting the cylinders 37 to float. The high side of the cam 69 will, however, still maintain the switch 73 closed so that the inside cylinders 45 are still retracting. When the pivot 41 has traveled additionally in a counterclockwise direction to the dotted line position of FIG. 4, about 55 beyond the horizontal plane through the center of the discs 29, then the cam 69 causes opening of the switch 73. This deenergizes the solenoid 78 and permits the valve 79 to return to a position where the lines 98 and 99 are hydraulically connected which permits floating of the inside hydraulic cylinders 45. In this position pin 103 is now engaging notch 68 of the star wheel 63, and the star wheel has been rotated to a position to bring the high side of cam 70 into operative position with the follower 74' for the switch 74 to turn the switch on" and energize the solenoid actuator 81 at the left of valve 82. This causes the outside hydraulic cylinders 37 to retract. Inasmuch as the pivot connections 39 between the cylinders 37 and the crank eccentric 35 are now past dead center, retraction will cause continued rotation of the discs 29.

Referring now to FIG. 5, the pin 104 of the eccentric crank 35 is now engaging notch 67 of the star wheel and has caused further movement of the star wheel so that the high side of cam 71 has now caused closing of switch 75 to energize the solenoid operator 84 for the valve 79 so that hydraulic flow causes extension of the inside cylinders 45, which extend extension acts through the brackets 43 to continue the counterclockwise movement of the packer blade to the position shown in FIG. 5 where the pivot 41 is 175 beyond horizontal. At the same time the high side of the cam 70 is moved away to open the switch 74 and thereby deenergize the actuator 81, thereby allowing the valve 83 to assume a position interconnecting hydraulic lines 100 and 101 which allows the outside cylinders to float.

In full In the full line position of FIG. 5 the packer blade tip 54, with its serrations 55, is cutting across the loading lip 27 to shear any material overlapping the lip. Because of the serrations the packer blade tip will dig into most types of refuse and cause it to advance through the hopper 19.

When the packer blade reaches the dotted line position of FIG. 5 where the pivot pin 41 is 225 beyond the original horizontal plane, pin 105 is engaging notch 66 of the star wheel and the cams have been rotated to positions where the high side of cam 72 is engaging the follower 72' of switch 76 so that the solenoid operator 85 is energized to shift valve 82 to a position to cause extension of the outside cylinders 37. At the same time cam 71 has been rotated to a position to release the follower 75' of switch 75, deenergizing the solenoid 84 and allowing valve 79 to shift to a position where hydraulic lines 98 and 99 are interconnected which permits floating of the inside cylinders 45 When the packer blade pivot pin 41 arrives at the 300 position of FIG. 6 there is need for maximum power for packing the load into the body and for compacting it. When in this position the pin 106 of the eccentric crank is engaging the star wheel and the high sides of earns 69 and 72 are causing both of the switches 73 and 76 to be on. Switch 73 causes energization of the solenoid 78, shifting the valve 79-to a position to cause retraction of the inside cylinders At the same time switch 76 has energized solenoid 86 to shift valve 82 to a position which causes extension of the outside cylinders 37. Thus at this portion of the cycle both sets of hydraulic operators are exerting force for maximum packing power, and this continues until the parts arrive at the stop position shown by full lines in FIG. 4, where the actuator rollers 73' and 76' drop into the pip recesses 69' and 72 of earns 69 and 72 to shut off the switches 73 and 76 and deenergize the circuit to the solenoids 86 and 78, the other circuits being already deenergized, thus causing the packer blade to stop in the forward position of FIG. 4, the star wheel being locked in this position by the engagement of pin 102 with star wheel notch 64.

During cycling. refuse may be dumped into the hopper 19 while the packer blade is being operated, it being merely necessary to delay the deposit of material while the packer blade is coming down toward the shearing lip 27. As soon as the packer blade starts its packing stroke material may again be dumped into the hopper behind the blade, the blade returning over the load, as shown by dotted lines in FIG. 4, after the packing stroke.

Beginning with the dotted line position of FIG. 5 it is to be noted that the contour 57 of the upper portion of the packer blade is such as to maintain a close relationship with the lower edge 58 of the fixed baffle 59. Thus during the packing action no material may ride up over the top of the packer blade. It is further to be noted that, because of the use of the rotary discs, it is unnecessary to have sidewall slots for guiding the packer blade in its movement. Such sidewall slots, where they are low enough to be within the refuse, are a source of trouble because of the fact that the refuse can get into the slots and interfere with operation. Even in applicant's proposed modification of FIG. 10 where slots 313 are employed, these slots are so high as not to be a source of trouble.

Due to the particular coaction between the two sets of hydraulic rams in the preferred form of the invention, very efficient application of the power is provided and particularly during the latter part of the packing stroke, as in FIG. 6, when both sets of rams are cooperating, to rotate the discs, which in turn cause movement of the packer blade.

The star wheel control for the programming of the ram action is positive and foolproof, and once the star wheel is properly set there is little possibility of trouble.

The operation of the modified forms of the invention shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 is the same as the operation of the principal form of the invention insofar as the movement of the packer blade in concerned. However, due to the different means of applying power, the star wheel and cam arrangement of FIGS. 7 and 8 is of course inapplicable to the modification of FIGS. 9 and 10.

We claim:

1. A refuse vehicle of the type having a storage body and having a receiving hopper with sidewalls and with a curved bottom positioned at the rear of the body and in communication therewith, and there being a packer blade extending transversely of the hopper and having a lower scraping edge, wherein the improvement comprises means for supporting the packer blade for swinging movement and for bodily movement upwardly and downwardly and forwardly and rearwardly in the hopper, which means includes discs rotatably mounted on the sidewalls of the hopper, pivots connecting said discs with lower portions of the packer blade, said pivots being so located on the discs and the discs being so positioned on the hopper that during rotation said pivots are moved orbitally in a circular path which guides the scraping edge of the blade, first in a loading direction along the curved bottom of the hopper, and then in a return direction spaced above said curved bottom, and poweroperated means for rotating said discs which comprises crank means rotatable with said discs and hydraulic ram means connected between the sidewalls of the hopper and crank means, there also being hydraulic ram means pivotally connected between the sidewalls of the hopper and upper portions of the packer blade to complement the action of the first-mentioned hydraulic ram means, and there being means for controlling said hydraulic ram means, said controlling means including rotatably mounted shaft, control cams rigidly mounted on said shaft, a star wheel rigidly mounted on said shaft, and spaced pins projecting from one of the discs which are positioned to engage the star wheel during rotation of the disc to cause rotation of the cams.

2. A refuse vehicle of the type having a storage body and having a receiving hopper with sidewalls and with a curved bottom positioned at the rear of the body and in communication therewith, and there being a packer blade extending transversely of the hopper and having a lower scraping edge, wherein the improvement comprises means for supporting the packer blade for swinging movement and for bodily movement upwardly and downwardly and forwardly and rearwardly in the hopper, which means includes discs rotatably mounted on the sidewalls of the hopper, pivots connecting said discs with lower portions of the packer blade, said pivots being so located on the discs and the discs being so positioned on the hopper that during rotation said pivots are moved orbitally in a circular path which guides the scraping edge of the blade, first in a loading direction along the curved bottom of the hopper, and then in a return direction spaced above said curved bottom, and power-operated means for rotating said discs which comprises eccentric plates rotatable with the discs, the power-operated means for accomplishing the rotating motion including hydraulic ram means connected between the sidewalls of the hopper and said eccentric plates.

3. A refuse vehicle as claimed in claim 2 in which there is means for controlling the hydraulic ram means, said controlling means including a rotatably mounted shaft, control cams rigidly mounted on said shaft, a star wheel rigidly mounted on said shaft, and spaced pins projecting from the periphery of one of said eccentric plates and extending in generally radial directions, said pins being positioned to sequentially engage the star wheel during rotation of the disc.

4. A refuse vehicle of the type having a storage body and having a receiving hopper with sidewalls and with a curved bottom positioned at the rear of the body and in communication therewith, and there being a packer blade extending transversely of the hopper and having a lower scraping edge, wherein the improvement comprises means for supporting the packer blade for swinging movement and for bodily movement upwardly and downwardly and forwardly and rearwardly in the hopper, which means includes members rotatably mounted on the sidewalls of the hopper, pivots connecting said member members with lower portions of the packer blade, said pivots being so located on the rotary members and the rotary members being so positioned on the hopper that during rotation said pivots are moved orbitally in a circular path which guides the scraping edge of the blade, first in a loading direction along the curved bottom of the hopper, and

i then in a return direction spaced above said curved bottom,

and power-operated means for rotating said rotary members, the rotatably mounted members being discs which are rotatable in openings of the sidewalls, and there being means for controlling the power-operated means, said controlling means including 'a rotatably mounted shaft, control cams rigidly mounted on said shaft, a star wheel rigidly mounted on said shaft, and spaced pin means rotatable with one of the rotatably mounted members and positioned for sequential engagement with said star wheel during rotation of the disc.

5. A refuse vehicle of the type having a storage body and having a receiving hopper with sidewalls and with a curved bottom positioned at the rear of the body and in communication therewith, and there being a packer blade extending transversely of the hopper and having a lower scraping edge, wherein the improvement comprises means for supporting the packer blade for swinging movement and for bodily movement upwardly and downwardly and forwardly and rearwardly in the hopper, which means includes members rotatably mounted on the sidewalls of the hopper, pivots connecting said members with lower portions of the packer blade, said pivots being so located on the rotary members and the rotary members being so positioned on the hopper that during rotation said pivots are moved orbitally in a circular path which guides the scraping edge of the blade, first in a loading direction along the curved bottom of the hopper, and then in a return direction spaced above said curved bottom, and poweroperated means for rotating said rotary members, there being a stationary baffle in the upper portion of the hopper extending downwardly and rearwardly and having a rear edge terminating intermediate the height of the hopper and a substantial distance rearwardly over the curved bottom, the upper portion of the packer blade being convex in cross section in a forward direction with the convexity so tailored and positioned that the upper portion of .the packer blade is close to the rear edge of the baffle shortly after the beginning of packing movement and all during the rest of the packing stroke, while said upper portion of the blade rides upwardly beyond the edge ofthe baffle to be scraped thereby during the final portion of the packing stroke.

6. A refuse vehicle of the type having a storage body and having a receiving hopper with sidewalls and with a curved bottom positioned at the rear of the body and in communication therewith, and there being a packer blade extending transversely of the hopper and having a lower scraping edge, and there being means for supporting the packer blade for swinging movement and for bodily movement upwardly and downwardly and forwardly and rearwardly in the hopper, wherein the improvement comprises a stationary baffle in the upper portion of the hope hopper extending downwardly and rearwardly and having a rear edge terminating intermediate the height of the hope hopper and a substantial distance rearwardly over the curved bottom, the upper portion of the packer blade being convex in .cross section in a forward direction with the convexity so tailored and positioned that the upper portion of the packer blade is close to the rear edge of the baffle shortly after the beginning of packing movement and all during the rest of the packing stroke while said upper portion of the blade rides upwardly beyond the edge of the baffle to be scraped thereby during the final portion of the packing stroke.

7, A refuse vehicle of the type having a storage body and having a receiving hopper with a curved bottom and with sidewalls, and having a rear wall with a horizontal loading lip, said hopper being positioned at the rear of the body and in communication therewith, and there being a packer blade extending transversely of the hopper and having a lower scraping edge which is in shearing relationship with the loading lip at a predetermined time in the cycle of movement, and there being means for supporting the packer blade for movement upwardly and downwardly and forwardly and rearwardly in the hopper, wherein the improvement comprises having the scraping edge of the blade reinforced by spaced-apart downardlytapered webs, there being recesses in the scraping edge which extend upwardly between webs and there being web reinforced teeth between recesses to dig into refuse and pull it into the hopper after it moves past the loading lip.

Column Column Column Column Column Column Column Column Column Column (SEAL) Patent No.

It is certi I Attest:

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFlCE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION 1, line 50,

1, line #7,

3, line line line

line

6, line and Signed EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. Attesting Officer I FORM PO-IOSO (10-69) Dated February 2, 1971 I fl Arnold F. Mever; John Egwieschel 8c Leslie F. Han:

fied that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

insert conventional before the word "limit" remove the letter "t" before the word "operation" delete the word "lien" after the word dot delete the first "In full at the beginnin of the sentence "engage" insert before the word sequentially delete the word "members" from the sentenc delete the word hope" from the sentence delete the word "hope" from the sentence sealed this 25th day of December 1973.

RENE D. TEGTMEYER Acting Commissioner of Patent uscoMM-oc 00s urs. covnnuur PRINTING OFFICI: 19 o- 

1. A refuse vehicle of the type having a storage body and having a receiving hopper with sidewalls and with a curved bottom positioned at the rear of the body and in communication therewith, and there being a packer blade extending transversely of the hopper and having a lower scraping edge, wherein the improvement comprises means for supporting the packer blade for swinging movement and for bodily movement upwardly and downwardly and forwardly and rearwardly in the hopper, which means includes discs rotatably mounted on the sidewalls of the hopper, pivots connecting said discs with lower portions of the packer blade, said pivots being so located on the discs and the discs being so positioned on the hopper that during rotation said pivots are moved orbitally in a circular path which guides the scraping edge of the blade, first in a loading direction along the curved bottom of the hopper, and then in a return direction spaced above said curved bottom, and power-operated means for rotating said discs which comprises crank means rotatable with said discs and hydraulic ram means connected between the sidewalls of the hopper and crank means, there also being hydraulic ram means pivotally connected between the sidewalls of the hopper and upper portions of the packer blade to complement the action of the firstmentioned hydraulic ram means, and there being means for controlling said hydraulic ram means, said controlling means including rotatably mounted shaft, control cams rigidly mounted on said shaft, a star wheel rigidly mounted on said shaft, and spaced pins projecting from one of the discs which are positioned to engage the star wheel during rotation of the disc to cause rotation of the cams.
 2. A refuse vehicle of the type having a storage body and having a receiving hopper with sidewalls and with a curved bottom positioned at the rear of the body and in communication therewith, and there being a packer blade extending transversely of the hopper and having a lower scraping edge, wherein the improvement comprises means for supporting the packer blade for swinging movement and for bodily movement upwardly and downwardly and forwardly and rearwardly in the hopper, which means includes discs rotatably mounted on the sidewalls of the hopper, pivots connecting said discs with lower portions of the packer blade, said pivots being so located on the discs and the discs being so positioned on the hopper that during rotation said pivots are moved orbitally in a circular path which guides the scraping edge of the blade, first in a loading direction along the curved bottom of the hopper, and then in a return direction spaced above said curved bottom, and power-operated means for rotating said discs which comprises eccentric plates rotatable with the discs, the power-operated means for accomplishing the rotating motion including hydraulic ram means connected between the sidewalls of the hopper and said eccentric plates.
 3. A refuse vehicle as claimed in claim 2 in which there is means for controlling the hydraulic ram means, said controlling means including a rotatably mounted shaft, control cams rigidly mounted on said shaft, a star wheel rigidly mounted on said shaft, and spaced pins projecting from the periphery of one of said eccentric plates and extending in geneRally radial directions, said pins being positioned to sequentially engage the star wheel during rotation of the disc.
 4. A refuse vehicle of the type having a storage body and having a receiving hopper with sidewalls and with a curved bottom positioned at the rear of the body and in communication therewith, and there being a packer blade extending transversely of the hopper and having a lower scraping edge, wherein the improvement comprises means for supporting the packer blade for swinging movement and for bodily movement upwardly and downwardly and forwardly and rearwardly in the hopper, which means includes members rotatably mounted on the sidewalls of the hopper, pivots connecting said member members with lower portions of the packer blade, said pivots being so located on the rotary members and the rotary members being so positioned on the hopper that during rotation said pivots are moved orbitally in a circular path which guides the scraping edge of the blade, first in a loading direction along the curved bottom of the hopper, and then in a return direction spaced above said curved bottom, and power-operated means for rotating said rotary members, the rotatably mounted members being discs which are rotatable in openings of the sidewalls, and there being means for controlling the power-operated means, said controlling means including a rotatably mounted shaft, control cams rigidly mounted on said shaft, a star wheel rigidly mounted on said shaft, and spaced pin means rotatable with one of the rotatably mounted members and positioned for sequential engagement with said star wheel during rotation of the disc.
 5. A refuse vehicle of the type having a storage body and having a receiving hopper with sidewalls and with a curved bottom positioned at the rear of the body and in communication therewith, and there being a packer blade extending transversely of the hopper and having a lower scraping edge, wherein the improvement comprises means for supporting the packer blade for swinging movement and for bodily movement upwardly and downwardly and forwardly and rearwardly in the hopper, which means includes members rotatably mounted on the sidewalls of the hopper, pivots connecting said members with lower portions of the packer blade, said pivots being so located on the rotary members and the rotary members being so positioned on the hopper that during rotation said pivots are moved orbitally in a circular path which guides the scraping edge of the blade, first in a loading direction along the curved bottom of the hopper, and then in a return direction spaced above said curved bottom, and power-operated means for rotating said rotary members, there being a stationary baffle in the upper portion of the hopper extending downwardly and rearwardly and having a rear edge terminating intermediate the height of the hopper and a substantial distance rearwardly over the curved bottom, the upper portion of the packer blade being convex in cross section in a forward direction with the convexity so tailored and positioned that the upper portion of the packer blade is close to the rear edge of the baffle shortly after the beginning of packing movement and all during the rest of the packing stroke, while said upper portion of the blade rides upwardly beyond the edge of the baffle to be scraped thereby during the final portion of the packing stroke.
 6. A refuse vehicle of the type having a storage body and having a receiving hopper with sidewalls and with a curved bottom positioned at the rear of the body and in communication therewith, and there being a packer blade extending transversely of the hopper and having a lower scraping edge, and there being means for supporting the packer blade for swinging movement and for bodily movement upwardly and downwardly and forwardly and rearwardly in the hopper, wherein the improvement comprises a stationary baffle in the upper portion of the hope hopper extending downwardly and rearwardly and having a rear edge terminating intermediate the height of thE hope hopper and a substantial distance rearwardly over the curved bottom, the upper portion of the packer blade being convex in cross section in a forward direction with the convexity so tailored and positioned that the upper portion of the packer blade is close to the rear edge of the baffle shortly after the beginning of packing movement and all during the rest of the packing stroke while said upper portion of the blade rides upwardly beyond the edge of the baffle to be scraped thereby during the final portion of the packing stroke.
 7. A refuse vehicle of the type having a storage body and having a receiving hopper with a curved bottom and with sidewalls, and having a rear wall with a horizontal loading lip, said hopper being positioned at the rear of the body and in communication therewith, and there being a packer blade extending transversely of the hopper and having a lower scraping edge which is in shearing relationship with the loading lip at a predetermined time in the cycle of movement, and there being means for supporting the packer blade for movement upwardly and downwardly and forwardly and rearwardly in the hopper, wherein the improvement comprises having the scraping edge of the blade reinforced by spaced-apart downardly-tapered webs, there being recesses in the scraping edge which extend upwardly between webs and there being web reinforced teeth between recesses to dig into refuse and pull it into the hopper after it moves past the loading lip. 